Luke

Luke shows a sweeping historical vision Tracing a new religious movement from

Bethlehem to a (hoped for) faith of the Roman Empire

Luke places Jesus’ career at the center of this history

Luke’s historical vision

Luke sees Jesus as the link between Israel’s

Biblical past to a future multi-national Gentile Church

Jesus’ ministry represents a new beginning of understanding God’s intentions for humanity

Luke looks forward rather than to an apocalyptic end

Luke’s philosophy

Acts portrays the disciples entering a new

historical epoch It concludes with Paul’s concentration on

ministering to the Gentiles

Acts

Very likely a Gentile Educated, with an extensive vocabulary and

polished Greek style Some say he was a physician Some say he was an apostle of Paul He does not seem to know about Paul’s

letters, though

Who is Luke?

Luke-Acts was written mid-80s

(after the Jewish wars and before Paul’s letters were published)

Probably written in Ephesus He dedicates the work to Theophilus

Date

1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to

compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

Preface

Apparently dissatisfied with previous versions Incorporates 45-50% of Mark Sometimes rearranges Mark’s order of events,

for example Jesus’ rejection at Nazareth Mark has it in the middle Luke starts with it

Q L Hebrew Bible as reference

Luke’s sources

1. The Holy Spirit 2. The Importance of Jerusalem 3. Christianity as a Universal Faith 4. Jesus’ Concern for Women 5. Jesus’ Affinity with the Unrespectable 6. Jesus as Savior

Luke’s Major Themes

Luke is convinced that Jesus’ ministry and the

growth of Christianity are not historical accidents

He believes they are the result of the Holy Spirit, an invisible force from God that guides human thought and action

Luke uses this term 14 times, more than other writers

Holy Spirit

For Luke, it is the Spirit that is responsible for

the faith’s rapid expansion throughout the Roman Empire

Both Paul and Luke see the Christian community as charismatic—Spirit led and Spirit powered

Spirit in Acts

Luke links the important events in Jesus life

with Jerusalem Infancy and childhood visits to the Temple Jesus’ fateful confrontation with Roman and

priestly authorities All Jesus’ post resurrection appearances at or

near Jerusalem (Mark says Galilee) Jesus instructs followers to remain in

Jerusalem where they will receive the Holy Spirit

Importance of Jerusalem

The way that Luke emphasizes Jerusalem it

fulfills God’s ancient promises to Israel

Sacred Ground

For Luke, Christianity is intended for “all

nations” not just those who have followed the Torah

Simeon prophesies that the infant Jesus will be a “revelation” to the Gentiles

Luke’s genealogy goes back to Adam, symbolizing all of human history

Luke notes that even Peter, who initially did not wish to admit Gentiles to the Church, now welcomed them

Christianity as Universal Faith

Elizabeth Mary Mary and Martha the privilege “shall not be

taken from them” (Luke 10: 38-42) Galilean women who follow and give financial

support (Luke 8:2-3) Witnessing the crucifixion and being first to

receive the news of resurrection

Concern for Women

‘a friend of tax gatherers and sinners’ The notorious woman who crashes a

Pharisee’s dinner party and washes his feet with her tears

Jesus was accused of being a glutton and drinker

Luke’s version of the great banquet, the doors are thrown open to ‘the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind’ . . . (those incapable of returning hospitality)

The Unrespectable

Matthew stressed Jesus as Israel’s messiah The Gentiles don’t particularly care about that Luke uses the Greek term soter, a term widely

used in the Greco-Roman world applied to gods, demigods, and human rulers.

For Luke, Jesus is the Savior of repentant humanity

Jesus as Savior

Infancy Narrative

Matthew and Luke agree that

Jesus was born in Bethlehem

To a virgin, Mary And Joseph, a

descendant of David

Luke interweaves

the birth stories of Jesus and John the Baptist

The Baptist, the last of Israel’s prophets

Jesus, setting forth a new world order

Luke dates John’s

birth in King Herod’s reign

Luke dates Jesus’ birth in the reign of the emperor, Augustus

This places Jesus in a global, not a local context

Mary

Luke gives emphasis to Mary’s role by having Gabriel announce to her

The Latin version of Gabriel’s speech is the “Ave Maria”

The Magnificat is Mary’s prayer of exaltation

It reflects very closely Hannah’s prayer at the conception of Solomon

Bethlehem

Luke uses a stable as a setting

He has shepherds visit, not foreign astrologers

Luke does not mention Herod’s attempt to kill the child

Luke does not mention flight into Egypt

boyhood

The only mention of Jesus’ boyhood in the New Testament appears in Luke

The visit to the temple

Jesus ‘advanced in wisdom and in favor with God and men’ is almost exactly the wording describing young Samuel (1 Sam 2:26